Graphing Learning CenterBy

Kimberly Bisner

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Bar Graphs

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Types of Candy Bars Number of StudentsKit Kat 1Snickers 6Peanut Butter Cups 8Skittles 3Milky Way 3

Creating Bar Graphs

Using the following data that we collected as a class, you and your teammates will be creating two graphs like the ones you watched me create on the SMART Board. One graph you will create using Excel. The other graph you will create by using this link: http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/ . You will print out both graphs and turn them in when you are finished. As you are working keep in mind that we will be having a discussion as to the pros and cons of both programs. If you have any problems or questions, please check with your teammates first. You are working together to create both graphs. Good luck and have fun!!!

Creating Bar Graphs: Learning CenterLearning centers are a wonderful way for students to work independently or

cooperatively without constant direct assistance from the teacher. This allows the teacher theflexibility of working with small groups of students while the rest of the class works at their centers. As a second grade teacher, I am responsible for teaching bar graphs to my students. Each year I have students decide on something they would like to collect data on and then survey the class and record the results. This year the students decided to collect data on theirfavorite type of candy bar. They each voted anonymously on a piece of paper and one studenttallied the results on the SMART Board.

The next step in introducing this learning center is to go through creating the graphstep by step with students as a whole class. For most of the students this is usually their firsttime using the graphing program online or Excel so they need a quick how to lesson before they can try it on their own. As a class we create graphs using both programs. The remainderof the week, the students work in groups to create graphs in using both programs. When they are finished they print out their graphs and discuss with their teammates the pros and cons of each program.

Students really love this learning center and often want to keep editing their workuntil it is “perfect.” By allowing students the freedom to try anything, it really helps them todiscover things they didn’t know before and increases their confidence. Their comfort levelwith computer technology also increases. I think I will continue using this center (tweaking it when necessary) for as long as students continue to be engaged and are learning something new.